Sky Bet have installed Nick Mallett the favourite to succeed Andy Robinson as the next coach of Scotland.

Robinson announced his decision to step down after Scotland's 21-15 loss to Tonga made it 10 defeats in their last 13 games, leaving them 12th in the world rankings ahead of the 2015 World Cup draw next month.

Former South Africa chief Mallett is 5/4 to take up the vacancy having been out of work since leaving his position with Italy after last year's World Cup.

The 56-year-old is not without competition, though, with Scotland's current attack coach Scott Johnson, who failed to win in his three games as interim coach of Wales in 2006, the next in line at 100/30.

Sean Lineen, who was made Scottish Rugby's head of player acquisition in the summer following a six-year stint as coach of Glasgow Warriors, is one of just two Scots to make Sky Bet's list of candidates - he's third favourite at 9/2.

Also in the running is Irishman Michael Bradley at 8/1. Currently head coach at Edinburgh, the former scrum-half holds the advantage of having taken charge of his country during a tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2008, although he suffered defeat to both nations.

Jake White, the South African who coached the Springboks to their 2007 World Cup triumph is available to back at 10/1 despite being contracted to Australian Super Rugby side Brumbies.

Of the outsiders, former scrum-half Bryan Redpath, capped 60 times by Scotland as a player, is a 12/1 shot while former Ireland boss Eddie O'Sullivan can be backed at 14/1 and former All Black Todd Blackadder, currently in charge of Crusaders, completes the list at 16/1.